Authentication Types

The SSH protocol provides a number of different authentication mechanisms for providing alternative data, beyond the username, for authenticating with the SSH server. The following authentication mechanisms, described using the SSH terminology, are supported by the SSH Collection Module:

•

password

•

keyboard-interactive

•

publickey

The password and keyboard-interactive authentication types are both password based. The password type performs a direct user password validation facility, while the keyboard-interactive type uses the PAM infrastructure. Configuration on the RN150 Virtual Appliance for either type is identical, and the password string should be provided as a component of the credential entry.

The publickey authentication type uses asymmetric key pairs, most often RSA keys. In this model, the private key of the pair is utilized by the client, while the corresponding public key is attached to the user account on the server. As the SSH Collection Module on the RN150 Virtual Appliance is acting as the client, the private key of the pair is provided as a component of the credential entry, while the public key is a component of the user account configuration on the target systems. More details on enabling publickey authentication is provided in Key-Based Authentication Requirements.